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From : rich
Date : Sat Feb 17 2018 09:04:38

From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

February 18th =E2=80=93 Saint Leo of Patera
Died c. 260.

 Saint Leo witnessed the martyrdom of Saint Paregorius at Patara,
Lycia, and found his heart divided between joy for his friend's
glorious victory, and sorrow to see himself deprived of the happiness
of sharing in it.

In the absence of the proconsul of Asia, the governor of Lycia
demonstrated his piety to the gods by publishing an order obliging all
citizens to offer sacrifice to Serapis. Leo, sad to see both the
pagans and some Christians going to adore the idol, went to the tomb
of Saint Paregorius and passed the temple of Serapis en route.

The heathens that saw him knew that this was a Christian because of
his modesty. From his youth, Leo had practiced austerity and the
devotions of an ascetic life. Returning home he fell asleep and
dreamed that God was calling him to martyrdom, too.

The next time he visited Paregorius's tomb he walked boldly through
the market place and passed the temple of Fortune, which he saw
illumined by lanterns. He pitied their blindness and, moved with zeal
for the living God, broke many of the lanterns and trampled on the
tapers, saying, "Let your gods revenge the injury if they are able to
do it." The priest of the temple cried out, "Unless this impiety be
punished, the goddess Fortune will withdraw her protection from the
city."

An account of the affair soon reached the governor's ears. He ordered
the saint brought before him, and said: "Wicked wretch, your
sacrilegious action surely bespeaks that you are either ignorant of
the immortal gods, or downright mad, in flying in the face of our most
divine emperors, whom we justly regard as secondary deities and
saviors."

The martyr replied, "You are under a great mistake, in supposing a
plurality of gods; there is but one, who is the God of heaven and
earth, and who does not stand in need of being worshipped after that
gross manner that men worship idols. The most acceptable sacrifice we
can offer him is that of a contrite and humble heart."

Offered the choice of sacrificing or dying, Leo chose the narrow way
rather than the broad, commodious path offered by the governor. "When
I called it narrow," said the martyr, "this was only because it is not
entered without difficulty, and that its beginnings are often attended
with afflictions and persecutions for justice' sake. But being once
entered, it is not difficult to keep in it by the practice of virtue,
which helps to widen it and render it easy to those that persevere in
it, which has been done by many."

After continued debate, the saint was mercilessly scourged. The
governor relented because of Leo's venerable age and told him he would
only have to acknowledge the gods and not sacrifice, but still Leo
refused. He was then dragged by his feet to his place of execution.
After his death his executioners threw his body over a precipice into
a deep pit, but it received only a few bruises. The Christians
recovered Leo's body and found it of a lively color, and entire, and
his face appeared comely and smiling, and they buried it in the most
honorable manner they could (Benedictines, Husenbeth).


Saint Quote
What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He caresses us,
and to be cold immediately once He afflicts us. This is not true love.
Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all
their heart.
-- Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Bible Quote:
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
May those who long for your help
always say, "God be glorified!"
Here I am, afflicted and poor.
God, come quickly! You are my help and deliverer.
LORD, do not delay!  (Ps 70: 5,6)


<><><><>
John points to Jesus' saving mission

"No longer does John need to 'prepare the way,' since the one for whom
the preparation was being made is right there before his eyes... But
now he who of old was dimly pictured, the very Lamb, the spotless
Sacrifice, is led to the slaughter for all, that he might drive away
the sin of the world, that he might overturn the destroyer of the
earth, that dying for all he might annihilate death, that he might
undo the curse that is upon us... For one Lamb died for all (2
Corinthians 5:14), saving the whole flock on earth to God the Father,
one for all, that he might subject all to God."
by Cyril of Alexandria (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF
JOHN 2.1)
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)

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